The Cedar Keyhole Gallery Artist of the Month for August is Joanne Pirzer. She uses the skills of woodworker, painter and sculptor in combining various types of wood into an overall wall hanging. It may be a tropical or wildlife scene but the sense of realistic presentation is immediately striking.

The OFCA Planning Committee is looking for artists interested in developing artwork for our 2012 event. The competition allows artists to use any reproducible medium (painting, drawing, photography, collage, etc.). All entries will be exhibited at the Cedar Key Arts Center from Oct. 1 until Nov. 2, 2011.

Artists will have the opportunity to put their pieces up for sale while on display. A panel of judges will decide and announce the Design Award Winner on Friday, Oct. 14.

Tucked away off Hodges Avenue is arguably the ugliest circa 1960’s building on the island. But don’t let that put you off. Inside and around the property are a variety of things to do and see that will make you forget the bad architecture.

There is secret garden at the corner of 6th and E Streets and you are welcome to drop in any time. Tonya Sprong has reestablished her business, “Beauty By The Yard” at her home, after a short stint on 2nd Street.
She is not a fan of four walls and loves the opportunity and inspiration for creativity that her back yard provides under the sheltering branches of a giant oak tree.

Cassie Lozier, age 10, and her dog, Chase, take a break in front of her aunt Julie Gore’s shop on State Road 24. She, her two dogs and a friend had been out collecting sea water for a new salt water aquarium she was assembling - with some help. They later went out and caught a variety of ocean critters to stock the tank with and, according to her aunt, it’s coming along just swimmingly.

Al Anon
Al Anon meets every Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Christ Episcopal Church on the corner of SR 24 and 5th Streets. The meeting is non-smoking and open to the public.

Chamber of Commerce
Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meets monthly on the third Thursday at 8:30 a.m. All Chamber members and those interested in becoming members are encouraged to attend. Please call 543-5600 to confirm the location.

Sometimes, It takes a rough patch before you realize how lucky you really are and that you have friends you didn’t know existed. That was the case for Jennie Pinto.

In late May, Pinto, a real estate agent and Cedar Key resident, was loaded into a car by her friend Ken Young and driven to Shands, in Gainesville. Her health had been deteriorating for two years, but on May 23, it hit rock bottom, and she was barely able to walk.